journals

 

Today, as I sit to write, I look back at how far I have come.

My name is Mehreen, and I belong to North Waziristan a place where opportunities are rare and struggles are plenty. Growing up there was never easy, but it gave me strength that still lives within me.

My schooling began in my hometown, but my student life was marked by challenges that tested me early on. I still remember being in 9th grade when the Taliban attacked our school. That moment changed everything. Education, which was already scarce, became even harder to access.

For the sake of safety, my family decided to move to another city. It was not an easy transition, but my grandfather struggled a lot to settle things for us. He carried the weight of the whole family on his shoulders, and together we started building a new chapter.

In the new town, I continued my studies at a government school, but as a private student. That meant I was allowed to attend classes but not sit for exams there. Instead, I had to travel back to my village to appear for my exams. I completed 9th and 10th grade this way taking classes in one place, then returning to my hometown just for exams.

After high school, my education finally started properly in the new town. That was the first time I felt like I had stability in my learning journey.

Later, when I pursued my Master’s in Fine Arts, I also worked as an Art Teacher at an international school. Balancing both wasn’t simple, but I wanted to stand on my own feet. Looking back, those moments of exhaustion were worth it, because now I have seven years of teaching experience that I truly treasure.

Beyond teaching, I discovered another passion: writing. Words became my safe space, just like colors and brushes have always been for me as a visual artist. Writing and art both help me express my soul.

This blog is not just a platform. It is a piece of my journey, struggles, passions, and dreams. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire even one person to believe that no matter where you come from, and no matter how difficult the path may be, you can rise and shine.